Ms Yingluck tastes dried fruit after attending the opening of Thaifex — World of Food Asia 2012 at Impact Muang Thong Thani yesterday. The fair runs until Sunday. THITI WANNAMONTHA

She said yesterday that the demand for food products in international markets has continuously increased since the beginning of this year and this consumption will help to push up growth in almost all categories.

This year’s revenue from food exports excluding major commodities such as rice and sugar is estimated at US$28 billion, up by 12% from last year.

“This is a very promising sign for both the production and export sectors. Now is the time for them to make the most of this business opportunity,” she said at the opening of Thaifex _ World of Food Asia 2012.

Organisers expect the five-day event ending on Sunday will fetch US$420 million.

Ms Yingluck said the Thai government has a standing policy of positioning Thailand as the Kitchen of the World.

Thai agricultural and food products are highlighted, while foreign investment in the local farm sector is promoted vigorously.

“This initiative creates added value for not only our agricultural sector, but also the industrial and service sectors,” she said.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said the euro-zone crisis is a major concern.

His ministry will discuss the issue with Kittiratt Na-Ranong, a deputy prime minister and finance minister, in order to minimise the impact against Thailand, he said.

Mr Boonsong said the EU’s economic woes will likely affect Thai shipments and prompting the Commerce Ministry to adjust export strategies.

A greater focus on Asean markets is possible in order to ensure this year’s growth target of 15%.

Phongsak Assakul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said he supports the govenment’s policy of standardising the quality of Thai food sold abroad.

Promoting food ingredient exports is an effective way of beefing up taste, he said.

Mr Phongsak said he also encourages the government and food processors to concentrate more on making halal food in order to tap into Asean’s Muslim consumers, which number more than 250 million.

In fact, the overall Asean population of 601 million is a good alternative to ailing Europe as well, he added.

Related posts:

1. Halal receives export focus in Thailand The Thai government aims to expand halal food exports by...
2. Thailand: Thaifex – World of Food Asia 2011 THAIFEX – World of Food ASIA 2011, which includes Thai...
3. Thailand:THAI operates certified Halal Food kitchen Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) has received authorization...
4. Thailand signs Halal export deals In an aggressive move to increase Halal exports, Thailand’s Commerce...
5. Thailand urged to cash in on halal products at MIHAS Thailand is well placed to become a springboard for exports...

Over 350 companies from 22 countries will be participating at the annual Saudi food, hotel, hospitality & propac arabia show to be held in Jeddah from May 20-23, 2012, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture and under the auspices of Engineer Hassan Sangoof, Director General, Ministry of Agriculture, Makkah Region.

Organised by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions (ACE), the event – Saudi Arabia’s 17th international Event for Food, Beverages and Catering, Hotel Equipment, Supplies and Services – is set for opening at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 20 at the JCCI-owned Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events.

“This is the leading event in the Kingdom’s food, hotel, hospitality, processing and packaging industries, with a successful track record of more than fifteen years,” Zahoor Siddique, Vice President for Exhibitions, ACE, said.

The show has established Jeddah as the hub of the food, hotel and hospitality sector, and the Kingdom as a national showcase and forum where worldwide suppliers present their products and services, he added.

The event, propac arabia – the Kingdom’s comprehensive showcase for the industry – runs concurrently and will display a diverse range of exhibitor profile covering the entire spectrum of this industry. This is Saudi Arabia’s 17th International Event for Production & Processing, Printing & Packaging, Plastics & Chemicals.

The dual event hosts an impressive list of national pavilions from China, Egypt, Indonesia, Taiwan, Turkey, USA and individual companies from Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Singapore, Tunisia and UAE; and Saudi companies representing international brands.

The show incorporates TopChef & Art de Table, jointly organized by ACE and Saudi Arabian Chef Association, which will feature culinary skills of chefs from the finest hotels and restaurants and adjudicated by a panel of international experts.

“Art de table will be yet another attraction of impressive table displays by leading hotels and restaurants,” Zahoor Siddique added.

The shows also enjoy the support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Islamic Center for Development of Trade with Royal Host as the Main Sponsor and Fakieh Group as the strategic sponsor.

The show runs daily from 5 -10 pm, 20-23 May, 2012.

Related posts:

1. Indonesia to host largest ever Food, Hotel and Hospitality Trade Exhibition Food and Hotel Indonesia will return 6-9 April at the...
2. Taipei International Food Show kicks off This year Food Taipei has a special exhibition zone, the...
3. Malaysia: The Sixth China International Halal Food and Muslim Products Show (CIHAS 2011) In a statement Tuesday, the organising committee said the halal...
4. UAE invites M’sian exporters to halal food trade show Malaysian halal food players have been invited to the Sharjah...
5. Halal Expo 2008 Post Show Report Halal Expo 2008 has given their post show report with...

Universiti Sains Malaysia dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Prof Dr Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman said the committee could ensure that the pharmaceutical industry in the country would be transparent and committed in responding to the needs of Muslim consumers who were sensitive over halal issue.

He said the committee could work closely with monitoring agencies such as the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in finding ways to resolve the halal issue in the pharmaceutical industry.

“We should be ashamed of ourselves as the halal pharmaceutical industry in the country is still lagging behind that of non-Islamic countries like Thailand and Belgium,” he said.

He was when presenting a paper entitled ‘Halal Medicine in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Steps Towards Production and Empowerment’ at the ‘Halal Food Crisis: Towards a Solution’ seminar here, Wednesday.

– BERNAMA

Related posts:

1. Malaysia: List Out Medicines Without Halal Certification The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) today called on...
2. Guidelines For Halal Medicines Published BMI notes that one company - Canada's Viva Pharmaceutical -...
3. Malaysia: Halal Pharmaceutical Standards an edge to Malaysia players The development of Malaysian Standards for halal pharmaceuutical products will...
4. Malaysia: Muslims Advised To Be Alert Over Health Product Contents Muslim consumers need to be more aware of the contents...
5. Guidelines On Halal Medicines, Food Soon Brunei will soon have its very own set of guidelines...

This high-profile event is co-organised by the Embassy of Malaysia and the Malaysia External Trade Development Co-operation (MATRADE) and will be graced by Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry. The event will feature exhibitions and seminars as well as business matchings on trade and investment opportunities between Malaysia and Oman, particularly in the area of Tourism, Healthcare, Halal Development, Property/Real Estate, Construction, ICT, Trade and Investments.

According to the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Sultanate of Oman, Dato Rustam Yahaya, “This will be a good opportunity for local businesses and entrepreneurs to network with their Malaysian counterparts and get insights and updates from the Honourable Minister himself about Malaysia and how it can co-operate with the Sultanate.”

From a country dependent on agriculture and primary commodities, Malaysia has today become an export-driven economy spurred by high technology, knowledge-based and capital-intensive industries. This is an ideal event to share knowledge and expertise as well as enhancing business and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Dato Rustam adds, “This is an event not to be missed. I would like to call upon everyone who is interested to explore various business opportunities with Malaysia in this single event. There are plenty to choose from Malaysia, especially when our products and services are well-known all around the globe for their superior quality and reliability. Malaysia is ranked as one of the leading exporters worldwide for semiconductors, medical devices, processed food, building materials, healthcare, education, information and communication technology (ICT) and engineering services.

“Malaysian services sector has grown from strength to strength and has achieved global recognition for several landmark projects. All these testify to the high level of confidence and trust that international businesses have in us.”

According to Nor Azmi Sulong, General Manager of the organising company of the event, Al Gaith International Exhibition Co LLC (GIE), “As a Malaysian, working here for the last seven years and managing an event management company in Oman, I can see many opportunities available for both countries.”

Key Malaysian government ministries and agencies will be represented at this event to give Omanis further insights on what Malaysia has to offer and answer any queries.

Related posts:

1. Oman plans Halal food training centre with Malaysian support Malaysia’s Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and Public Establishment...
2. Oman: A’Saffa Foods leading private sector effort to create food security in Oman A'Saffa Foods, Oman's leading homegrown poultry producer, is taking a...
3. Malaysian companies should diversify export markets Malaysia needs to keep diversifying its export markets and depend...
4. Oman Air thrives at World Travel Market 2007 The issue of Halal tourism continues to get attention, with...
5. Oman: Wide range of trade opportunities explored with Malaysia Malaysian investments are welcomed, particularly in the field of food...

Tony Alabastro

A Philippine Department of Trade and Industry delegation will be arriving in Brunei tonight for a four-day visit to promote the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) 2013, the Philippines’ most important trade centre for food, the Philippine Embassy said yesterday.

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Nestor Z Ochoa said the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) is the biggest government-sponsored international food and beverage show in the Philippines, and the most preferred marketing venue for food exporters wishing to attract foreign and local buyers.

DTI’s Commercial Attache Alma Argayoso will lead the CITEM delegation, which will be meeting tomorrow, Monday, with the BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC) Brunei Darussalam, National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Brunei Darussalam International Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Department of Economic cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Ministry of Primary Resources.

CITEM will also conduct a briefing tomorrow afternoon at the Philippine Embassy Chancery for local business representatives of companies engaged in seafood processing of prawn, muscle, cuttlefish and fish crackers, tapiocas, banana and potato chips, sesame biscuits, beef strips, chicken frankfurters with cheese, roast ribs, chili sauces, kueh cincin, kueh sapit, kueh mor, layered cakes, Brunei Halal products, canned goods, flour-based foods and spices, beef bakso, frozen and ready- made kelupis (sticky rice wrapped in pandan leaves), curry puff and steamed fruit cakes. Batik cakes, home-made pastries, different flavours of halal snow balls snack, and other processed food.

Relaunching itself as “Asia’s Ethnic Food and Ingredients Show”, IFEX will feature a bigger showcase of fresh, processed, Halal, and organic Asian food products, according to the Centre of International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), DTI’s export promotion arm.

“A main showcase, Halal Food Asia, exhibits Halal edibles and opens up the lucractive Halal food market worth US$632 market’s need. Over a billion Muslims live in Asia and it is where several centres for Halal standardisation, research, testing, production and international trade have emerged to cater to this market,” CITEM said.

CITEM said IFEX’s focus is on Asia and its importance as the world’s biggest source of tropical materials and as a rapidly growing market.

We have opted to defer the show in 2013 and make it biennial starting 2013, as we invite exhibitors from all across the region to join us and make this event an unmissable one for buyers, CITEM said.

Data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said that 42 per cent of the more than US$4 billion global trade of tropical fruits comes from Asia – a region expected to supply 69 per cent of the world’s mangoes, 46 per cent of pineapples, and 20 per cent of papayas by 2014. Asia also accounts for two-thirds of total current aquaculture production and hosts 85.6 per cent of the world’s fish farmers, CITEM said.

Tropical fruits and seafood are two of IFEX’s main product showcase. Power Fruits of Asia, presents Asia’s major fruit exports such as mangoes, pineapples and papayas; and Seafood Asia, highlights Asia’s various marine products. Another main showcase is Halal Food Asia.

The 2010 IFEX in Manila attracted over 400 local and foreign exhibitors from Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Turkey, and USA, and close to 3,000 trade buyers and visitors from North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, CITEM said.

It has become a main sourcing hub for international food retailers, including Wal-Mart (US), FBC Worldwide (US), Mon Chong Loong (US), Hirasho Shoten Health Co (Japan), Heuschen Schrouff (Germany), manning Impex (UK). Wilby Commercial (Canada), the Americana Group of companies (ME),the Al Maya Group of Companies (ME), Shankar (ME) and NTUC Fairprice (Singapore).

“My experience with IFEX was very unique in terms of flavours and tastes. Beyond the food, there were some very fascinating, touching, compelling and spiritual stories, that made that very good food even more memorable,” US journalist and gourmet chef Louisa Chu told CITEM.

“I think IFEX is the best show for people like us, the distributors, to come and see what markets can offer, to find people and talk to the people on what they can offer potential suppliers, I think there’s a great future for IFEX,” Maciek Szala, a buyer from Poland, told CITEM.

“IFEX has so many new innovative products, something they do not have anywhere else in the world,” Tatijana Maglutac, a buyer from Russia, told the organiser.

– brunei-online.com

Related posts:

1. ‘Philippines products need more exposure in Kuwaiti market’ The Philippines needs more exposure to a 'highly competitive Kuwaiti...
2. Russia: Third Moscow International Halal Exhibition and Moscow Halal Expo, 7-10 June 2012 The task of today is bringing halal certified products to...
3. Malaysia: Pet food to be featured for the first time at halal products exhibition The exhibition, being held on the 4-7 April, is part...
4. UAE: International Fine Food Focus on Dubai for Speciality Festival This year, the Speciality Food Festival is set to showcase...
5. Philippines: Philippines to seek Brunei’s help in forging halal deals Brunei could prove to be very helpful in the country’s...

DUBAI: In line with company’s objective to promote the concept of Real Halal food globally, Al Islami has participated in the Sharia-compliant Bazaar set up under the banner of the 2nd edition of the Dubai International Peace Convention and Exhibition held on April 12 to April 14, 2012 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Peace Convention partnered with companies like Al Islami Foods, Emaar, Emirates, Lulu, Dar Al Ber Society, AW Rostamani, Emirates, Dubai Islamic Bank, ADCB Islamic Banking, Khansaheb, Dubai Media Inc., as well as independent sharia-compliant businesses such as, Al Madina Supermarket, Jaleel Distributors, Landmark Hotels, and several others.

Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Managing Director of Al Islami Foods, said: “Islam and Halal have such a wide implication on human beings that no other religion bears. These two systems are obligatory for Muslims, and a sheer benefit for non-Muslim fellow beings at the same time, according to several studies conducted so far. Halal meat is not only healthy but it is clean, safe and delicious. Alhamdulillah, Al Islami has a long legacy of producing Real Halal food.”

The event is conducted every two years. Year 2010 edition received 100,000 visitors during the three-day event. This year over 250,000 attended the Convention, Islamic Exhibition and Sharia compliant Bazaar. Guest speakers include world renowned Islamic scholars such as: Sheikh Mishary Rashid Al-Efasy, Dr. Zakir Naik, Sheikh Yusuf Estes along with other top speakers.

The Dubai International Peace Convention 2012 was officially opened  by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. This is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored the guests, along with the event’s sponsors. This convention has brought many guests from all over the world to convene in Dubai with one unified goal: to spread the true image of this religion and in the process cultivate world peace.

Related posts:

1. UAE: Al Islami Founder Honoured Haj Saeed Ahmed Lootah, Founder and Chairman of Al Islami...
2. ‘AL ISLAMI’ AND ‘IHI ALLIANCE’ HOLD HALAL STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT CONVENTION AT GULFOOD 2009 DUBAI – In conjunction with Gulfood exhibition2009, Al Islami Foods...
3. Al Islami Foods to build new factory at Dubai TechnoPark Despite a harsh economic turmail, Al Islami Foods today revealed...
4. Al Islami demonstrates lucrative franchise model at Global Village After the successful launch of Al Islami Cart franchise model...
5. Dubai announces Halal Living exhibition Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al...

K&N’s Foods (private) Limited, a leading name in poultry and meat products in Pakistan, is expected to market its products in the UAE by June. Brands in ?edible oil like Sufi Cooking Oil and Habib Oil, leading herbal trademark Qarshi and confectionery products leader Hilal, among others are also planning to enter the UAE food market this year.

“We are in talks with some leading groups and distributors to launch our brand in the UAE and we are confident to market our products by June,” Atiq R. Siddiqui, K&N’s head of exports, told Khaleej Times.

K&N’s Foods, which started its operation in 1964, is the first international brand in recent years, which has given permission to export frozen items to the UAE. The brand is considered a beacon for Pakistan’s poultry industry and its halal processed chicken, ready-to-cook and fully-cooked products are popular among domestic consumers.

“We have established the brand in Pakistan and now the company is ready to make a foray into the international market. The UAE will be the first international and regional market for K&N’s products,” Siddiqui said.

In reply to a question, he said Gulfood is a premier event for food industry. It is considered a good opportunity to interact with stakeholders to promote the brand and explore new business opportunities, he said.

“We showcased our products at Gulfood and received a good response from local businesses. We are in discussion with some leading names to launch our brand in the UAE market,” he said.

As many as 23 Pakistani companies in the food business attended the Gulfood exhibition in Dubai this year and displayed their full range of products in Pakistan pavilion. The exhibitors had fruitful meetings with the local importers and indenters and most of them are optimistic to launch their products at competitive price in the Gulf markets.

“Gulfood like yesteryears proved extremely effective to our endeavours to broaden food products exports from Pakistan. The exhibition can rightly be considered as Makkah of food industry,” Bilal Pasha, commercial counsellor at the Pakistan Embassy, told Khaleej Times.

Pasha said K&N’s Food is a premium poultry brand in Pakistan and is known for its best quality. “It has over the years gained strong foothold in Pakistani market and is now fully geared up to serve international clientele. It is the only poultry brand, which has received due regulatory permission from relevant UAE authorities,” he said.

“At Gulfood, our companies received serious enquiries and were also able to strike a few deals ranging from distribution of products to joint venture partners in the UAE and other regional countries,” he said.

To a question about the Pak brands’ entry into the UAE market, he confirmed that leading Pakistan brands in frozen meat, edible oil and herbal products are set to launch their operations in the emirate that will boost food business between the two countries.

He said different basmati rice brands from Pakistan are already well-entrenched in local market.

Jawed Ali Ghori, managing director, Matco Rice Processing (private) Limited, also plans to expand business in the UAE and other Gulf markets through an established base of his company in Dubai.

“We have recently launched Falak basmati rice in the UAE and received a positive feedback from the consumers. We will expand our operations in other GCC states from Dubai,” Ghori said.

Pasha said Pakistan is considered as food basket for the Gulf region. “There is immense potential for further food cooperation particularly in view of Gulf countries’ endeavour to have strategic food partners. From commodities to ready-to-eat food items, Pakistan’s food industry is poised to lead in UAE market,” he said.

Pasha said the volume of Pak exports to the UAE touched $1.8 billion in 2011 out of which food group exports were to the tune of $500 million. “There is, however enough room to expand keeping in view the UAE’s global food imports of more than $7 billion annually,” he said.

In reply to a question, he said some projects in food business are in the pipeline that will further strengthen the bilateral trade relations. “There are a few joint ventures ranging from farmland acquisition to joint production of commodities, fruits and vegetables and building of state-of-the-art food silos are in the pipeline,” Pasha said.

Asif Jabbar, director and group chief executive of Alif Investments, welcomed the entry of Pak brands into the UAE market.

“We have successfully launched many Pakistani brands including the Junaid Jamshed and Meat One. It is good to see that more Pakistani brands in food business are set to enter the local market,” he said and cautioned the new entrants about the stiff competition in the local market.

“The marketing of a new brand in the UAE is not an easy job amid competition from international and regional brands. One should be aware of marketing cost and other expenses in an international commercial city like Dubai to find place in the competitive market,” Jabbar concluded.

— muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com

Related posts:

1. Opinion: Brands That Survive Will Be The Brands That Make Life Better A new study of consumer engagement finds that companies that...
2. Pakistan: Global diversification: Engro acquires US-based food company Engro Corporation is all set to enter the halal food...
3. Pakistan: NA speaker to support halal food promotion bill National Assembly will fully support the passing of bill for...
4. Pakistan: Energy, security challenges not insurmountable: UK Diplomat The British Deputy High Commissioner in Pakistan, spoke at a...
5. Pakistan: Conference on Emerging Issues for Halal food in Food Safety The need to develop a comprehensive mechanism to remove the...

A system that can verify imported halal products, has been set up by DagangAsia Net who has invested RM3.5 million to set up a Halal Verified Engine (HVE) at the DagangHalal.com portal. The company is collaborating with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to gather data and will have a system trial run by June.

HVE will operate like a search engine, in that consumers or traders can search online for information on more than 3000 products that are registered with Jakim. “Consumers are now more aware and generally more concerned about the halal products that are available in the market,” said DagangAsia executive chairman Muhadzir Mohd Isa after the signing ceremony with Jakim at the World Halal Forum 2012.

The HVE system will also include a product rating application, in which users can share information on halal products and services. Cape Town based Cape Malay Consultants have been bringing South African halal-certified products on board to introduce them to the global halal market via DagangHalal’s online portal. According to the company, it would continue to work toward increasing exports of South African products. Voice of the Cape

Related posts:

1. The World’s First "Halal" Search Engine Designed for Muslims Goes Live AMSTERDAM - As of today, Muslims from all over the...
2. Malaysia: Halal Status Of Imported Products Can Be Checked Online From Next Year From next year, Muslims can check the halal content of...
3. Malaysia: Jakim Responds To MCA President’s Allegations All samples of products for halal certification are sent for...
4. Malaysia: JAKIM To Introduce Halal Standard For Leather, Wool, Bone Products Its principal assistant director, halal hub division, Hakimah Mohd Yusoff...
5. Malaysia: List Out Medicines Without Halal Certification The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) today called on...

IP Bank was the key innovative outcome at the two-day World Halal Research Summit 2012 which ended today. International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said these intellectual properties referred to innovations and innovative ideas that have commercialisation potential and have been transformed into halal prototypes for global halal markets.

“HDC will manage all innovations retained with the IP Bank as this is the platform towards consolidating prototypes that are ready for commercialisation,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony today.

In support of innovations, HDC also organised a WHR Innovation Exhibition in collaboration with Agensi Inovasi Malaysia for purposes of showcasing the product prototypes for the halal industry at the summit.

The exhibition which focussed on 37 product prototypes, identified for commercialisation and ready to be pitched to the business, investors and entrepreneurial sectors, will be reposited in the IP Bank and can be viewed at the HDC web portals.

– BERNAMA

Related posts:

1. Malaysia: Malaysia store in Tehran to market Halal goods and services in West Asia While the Neguin Group is engaged in the setting up...
2. CIMB Private Equity & Venture Capital Named The Best Halal Related Service Provider CIMB Private Equity & Venture Capital Malaysia has won the...
3. Thai Islamic Bank Gives 1.2 Billion Baht in Loans For Halal Manufacturers BANGKOK, -- The Islamic Bank of Thailand (IBT) plans to...
4. Oman’s first Islamic bank may open by end-2011 While neighbouring Gulf states have ramped up Islamic finance services...
5. Al Salam Bank ventures into farming business Bahrain-based Al Salam Bank is moving into the agricultural industry....

France’s halal market, now estimated at 5.5 billion euros with about 10 percent annual growth, became a political issue in recent weeks as President Nicolas Sarkozy used it in an unabashed pitch for votes from the anti-immigrant far-right.

The raw facts about halal butchering became a top issue on the election campaign trail, to the point that Sarkozy’s prime minister, Francois Fillon, said halal and kosher slaughter were outdated “ancestral traditions” that should be scrapped.

That hit a raw nerve in France’s Muslim and Jewish communities – both the largest of their kind in Europe – whose leaders complained openly. The issue has since mostly faded from the campaign for the two-round presidential election, which ends on May 6.

“It was a lot of noise for nothing,” said Aissa Osmane, who sells sharia-compliant spaghetti sauces with halal beef in the bolognese and smoked poultry cubes for bacon in the carbonara.

The halal market can only grow as the 5-million strong Muslim community further integrates into French life, said the businessman from the Paris suburb of Villetaneuse.

“Muslims live in today’s world like everybody else, they’re busy and want ready-made foods,” he said.

“The politicians are just looking for votes,” said Rached Abssi, sales director for the Kenza Halal processed meat company in the same northern Paris suburb. “We’re just an excuse for them not to talk about the financial crisis.”

POLITICAL POLEMICS

Marine Le Pen, head of the anti-immigrant National Front party, launched the verbal food fight in February when she said all meat sold in the Paris region was halal, and accused Sarkozy of bowing to Muslim pressure to allow this.

While this was an exaggeration, the debate revealed that abattoirs in the Paris region slaughtered animals exclusively the halal way – without stunning them before slitting their throats – but didn’t always mark meat as halal if it were sold to non-Muslim shops.

Slaughterhouses said it was too costly to operate two methods of slaughter. Sarkozy suggested clearly marking the slaughter method on all meat, but backed down after industry leaders impressed on him that this would increase costs.

Several producers at the fair said Muslims in Europe had long had fresh halal meat from Islamic butchers, but used to have nowhere near as many prepared foods as now.

“The market is playing catch-up to the demand,” said Dawood Ali, director of Gem Foods in Coventry, England. “It’s getting bigger because people are now trying to meet that demand.”

Asked when supply would meet demand, Ali said: “We’re halfway there.” Abssi gave the same estimate.

A quick tour around the few dozen stands at one end of a larger food industry fair here showed foreign producers saw France as a major market.

Halal foods on display included Dutch, Danish and Turkish meats, Belgian yoghurt, British baby food, Indonesian nasi goreng, Malaysian sweet and sour sauce, alcohol-free champagne from Belgium and Austria, and a whisky-flavoured malt drink from the United States.

FRENCH MUSLIMS WITH FRENCH TASTES

“There’s more variety and openness to new foods here,” said Ali, who displayed everything from ready-made dinners to baby food and chocolate-covered dates. “French Muslims are very into cuisine and see it as an art. In the U.K., they’re more closed.”

The taste for local cuisine among French Muslims, many of whom were born here and eat more sandwiches and pasta than couscous or tajine, has also prompted some French producers of non-meat products to get halal certification for them.

Gilles Amand, a caterer from Morlaix in Brittany, displayed a variety of fish-and-vegetable terrines that he had been selling for several years before getting a halal certificate to reassure Muslim clients.

All fish are halal, or permissible, by nature, but Muslims here shy away from unmarked fish terrines because there could be gelatin made from pork in it. Amand said the certificate proved his terrines only had vegetable-based gelatin in them.

“This reassures them about the quality,” he said.

Source: Reuters

Related posts:

1. Opinion: Political bias against halal meat market Pakistan’s private sector and commerce ministry have miserably failed to...
2. France: No longer niche, Halal food finds mass market French retailers and food manufacturers are realizing there’s money to...
3. France: Muslims Ease Cultural Tensions With French-Halal Food Like many French Muslims, Kamil Saidi, who owns the restaurant,...
4. Dubia: Al Islami Eyes France’s $7.5bln Halal Food Market With the France’s US$7.5bln Halal food market a year, Al...
5. France: Halal product consumers increase 15 percent annually A French economic consultants' office said in a study published...